economy and that pending fiscal cliff. are we going to go over the fiscal cliff? >> you know, i remain optimistic that there are enough people of good will in this town that recognize our economy will be much better off, american families will be much better off, if we get this done. the most important thing we can do is make sure the middle class taxes do not go up january 1st and i'm pretty confident that republicans would not hold middle class taxes hostage to try to protect tax cuts for high income individuals. >> reporter: prediction. are you going to be able to raise taxes? yes or no? >> oh, taxes are going to go up one way or the other. >> reporter: oh, they are? >> and i think the key is to make sure the taxes go up on high end individuals like you and me, barbara. we can afford it. it is entirely possible for us to come up with a deal. but time is running short. >> reporter: the president sounded optimistic about avoiding the fiscal cliff. he said, of his meeting with speaker boehner, "i think the tone was good. i believe both speaker boehner and myself a